HObie Compass Stability

I have been looking at the Compass. I am 6 feet tall and weigh 205. I am a little worried about the stability of the kayak.
The front end looks offly narrow. Solution would be spend another grand and get the OUTback.? hmmm?

the best way to put your concerns to rest is to take a test drive.

I can't answer the standing stability question as I rarely stand in the Compass. It's nowhere near as stable as my PA14. But for sitting stability for casting, landing fish, boat wakes and rough water...it is a very stable platform.

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Steve Stubbs
USAF (retired)

SeaDek Fishing Team
Unfair Lures Pro Staff
Ziptailz Ambassador

2015 Pro Angler 14 - Papaya
2018 Compass - Sea Grass

I have only been out in my 2018 Compass a handful of times, but my 1st outing was in a gnarly 15 knot wind in Buzzards Bay MA ... handled great, much better than I expected. 2 plus feet chop, felt totally stable. As a matter of fact, my buddy was in his Outback, and he flipped it ... the Compass had to rescue him. Full disclosure ... he was reaching for a bluefish on the end of his line and a wave hit him as he was leaning. For reference, I'm 6'2", 250 ...

I would say overall its pretty stable. My previous fishing kayak was a Wilderness systems ATAK 140 which was not only wider, but had more of a pontoon shaped bottom. It was more stable for standing, but way slower. I am able to stand on the compass in flat-ish water, but cannot ride a wake standing up like I could on the ATAK. I would say it initially feels a slightly tippy on initial lean, but then it catches

Welcome to the forum! I've fished out of the Hobie Compass and newer model Outback and own a PA14. The Compass is as stable to me as the newer Outbacks and almost as stable as the PA14.

Don't be afraid of standing up. With your frame you should have no issues. It may take some getting used to but don't let that be the deciding factor in getting one. The Compass is one of the better pedal kayaks to paddle IMO.

Depends what you mean by stability.

I had one and use it in rough conditions, no problme

To stand up he has a small angle of rotation, like the PA12.

But I'm only 155, for you it wouldn't be a problem as the kayak is deeper in water...

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François - French Hobie fishing team - Outback 2019 papaya
ex: Revo 13 2007 - PA 14 2008 - PA 12 2009 - Outback 2011/2013/2015 - Compass 2017